Album Reviews

These were almost certainly the first works that Haydn composed on taking up his appointment as Kapellmeister to the Esterházys. The Northern Chamber Orchestra under Nicholas Ward has wind players who relish their solos, so that the flute chirps merrily and the bassoon immediately has a chance to shine in the Trio of the Minuet of No. 6. In the Andante of Le Soir the strings create a chamber-music atmosphere, and it is the intimate scale of these performances that is so attractive. Modern instruments are used, but textures are fresh and the ambience of the Concert Hall of Broadcasting House, Manchester, adds the right degree of warmth.

"the excellent Northen Chamber Orchestra... notable for its natural sense of phrasing, crisp rhythms and clear textures.... I look forward to hearing more from this group in the Naxos series and recommend this new release warmly"